Apparel Having a Replaceable Outer Layer

ABSTRACT

Apparel having a replaceable outer layer, which comprises a supporting platform with a front face and a back face and a replaceable sleeve with an inner surface and an outer surface and that is mounted on the platform. At least a first portion of the inner surface is in contact with the front face and at least a second portion of the inner surface is in direct and/or indirect contact with a limb of a user who wears the apparel.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates in general to wearable apparel. In particular, the present invention relates to apparel whose exterior may be changed by replacing the outer layer of the apparel with an outer layer having a different color and/or design.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The apparel that one is seen with in public not only influences the impression of others, it also affects one's own self confidence. Often, people choose to wear apparel such as footwear, hand/shoulder bags, eyewear, jewelry, etc. based on the color and/or design of these items in order to ‘complete’ their outfit. People generally attempt to match, or, coordinate the appearance of these items with the other clothes they wear.

However, maintaining a wide assortment of the above-mentioned apparel may be prohibitive both in terms of cost as well as storage space. Many attempts have been made to provide solutions to this difficulty, however they all have drawbacks of there own. The following are several examples of the prior art solutions as relating to footwear.

US 2005/0016019 discloses a sandal having a sole and interchangeable uppers. Uppers are coupled to the sole by an arrangement of hooks and hook engagers situated at the inner and outer edges of the sole. The hook engagers are spring-loaded for allowing the hooks to be secured to and released from the engagers. When uppers are not being used, the hooks may inadvertently ‘catch’ objects and cause damage thereto. Moreover, when uppers are not coupled to the sole, the hooks may bend or break. Additionally, the hooks may bend or break as a result of repeatedly securing to and removing from the engagers.

US 2003/0233772 discloses a shoe having a plurality of interchangeable top coverings. The shoe comprises a base and a removably affixed top covering. The top covering is attached by any fastening means, such as hook and pile strips, snaps, laces or buttons, to allow secure fastening to the base. The top covering covers only the forward portion of the uppermost surface of a wearer's foot. According to US 2003/0233772, it would be much more costly, and thus, not desirable, for the top covering to additionally include material for covering the rearward portion of the wearer's foot. However, other factors, such as comfort and support are important to a wearer, and are provided by a rearward cover.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,931,766 discloses an article of footwear comprising a separable foot receiving portion and a sole portion. A plurality of tabs are distributed around and extend from the outer edge of the foot receiving portion. Each tab has an open center and is bendable downwards for fastening to a corresponding button-like protrusion in the outer edge of the sole portion. Over the course of use, (i.e. walking and/or running) it is likely for at least one of the tabs to decouple from the button, which, depending on the activity that the wearer performs, may cause the wearer to trip and/or fall. Additionally, the foot receiving portion is not a ‘one size fits all’ item, but a size-specific item which must fit the corresponding sole portion. Thus, the consumer must find a store that carries not only his or her size of the sole portion, but also of the foot receiving portion.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide apparel having a replaceable outer layer, which overcomes the drawbacks of the prior art.

It is an additional object of the present invention to provide footwear having a replaceable outer layer.

It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a hand or shoulder bag having a replaceable outer layer.

It is an additional object of the present invention to provide eyewear having a replaceable outer layer.

It is an additional object of the present invention to provide jewelry having a replaceable outer layer.

It is an additional object of the present invention to provide apparel having a replaceable outer layer comprising a sleeve that may be stored in a minimal space, when not in use.

Additional objects and advantages of the present invention shall become apparent as the description proceeds.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to apparel with a replaceable outer layer that comprises:

-   -   a supporting platform with a front face and a back face; and     -   a replaceable sleeve with an inner surface and an outer surface         that is mounted on the platform,         wherein a portion of the inner surface that may include straps         or slits is in contact with the front face and another portion         of the inner surface is in direct and/or indirect contact with a         limb of a user who wears the apparel.

The sleeve may be made of a seamless fabric or of an elastic spandex fiber. The platform may be so shaped to allow suspension thereof by a support protruding from a vertical surface. The supporting platform may be the sole portion of footwear, lenses, jewelry, a handbag and a shoulder bag.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of a first embodiment of the present invention, in the form of a sandal, wherein a user is wearing the sandal;

FIG. 2 illustrates a bottom perspective view of the sandal of the present invention, showing one aspect of the groove pattern and the lower portion of the sleeve of the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a bottom view of the sandal of the present invention showing a second aspect of the lower portion of the sleeve of the present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates an alternative aspect of the upper portion of the sleeve of the present invention, in the form of a sock;

FIG. 4 a illustrates a cross-sectional view of a patch shown in the sock of FIG. 4;

FIGS. 5 a, 5 b and 5 c illustrate a schematic view of the second embodiment of the present invention in the form of eyewear, in an assembled view (FIG. 5 a) and showing the double lens (FIG. 5 b) and the sleeve (FIG. 5 c) independently;

FIGS. 6 a, 6 b and 6 c illustrate a schematic view of the third embodiment of the present invention in the form of jewelry, in an assembled view (FIG. 6 a) and showing the gemstone bed (FIG. 6 b) and the sleeve (FIG. 6 c) independently; and

FIG. 7 illustrates a schematic perspective view of the fourth embodiment of the present invention in the form of a handbag;

FIGS. 8 a and 8 b illustrate a schematic view of the fifth embodiment of the present invention in the form of a dress.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

People often desire to coordinate the colors and/or designs of different parts of their outfit. In order to do this, a wide assortment of apparel must be accessible. This may be prohibitive to many people, both in terms of cost and storage space. The present invention solves both of these problems by providing apparel having a replaceable outer layer. The sleeve that comprises the outer layer is inexpensive and may be removed and replaced with an alternate one, having a different design and/or color, according to the user's desire. When not in use, the sleeve takes up and may be stored in a minimal amount of space.

The present invention can be realized in many different embodiments. In order to best illustrate the many advantages of the invention over the prior art, several specific embodiments of the invention, for use in foot apparel, eyewear, jewelry and as a handbag, have been chosen as illustrative and non-limiting examples to be described herein.

The terms, “wear” or “worn” as used herein, refer to carrying, bearing or being clothed in or by the apparel of the present invention. For instance, a user might “wear” foot apparel, eyewear, jewelry, a handbag or a shoulder bag/backpack.

The term, “outer layer” as used herein, refers to at least a portion of the exterior of an apparel that is at least partially exposed to view, although may comprise a portion that is generally hidden from view.

When an object is referred to herein as, “in contact with the user”, it is understood that the item may be in direct contact with the user's skin (or hair), or alternatively, in contact with an intermediate layer, such as a sock or shirt, which is in contact with the user's skin (or hair).

The term, “groove” as used herein refers to any slot, notch, indent or pathway that is capable of guiding, restraining, holding or limiting the movement of a portion of the sleeve of the present invention.

A first embodiment of the present invention, is shown in FIGS. 1-4 and 4 a in the form of foot apparel (referred to hereinbelow as a sandal), and is designated generally by the numeral (100), Sandal (100) comprises a supporting platform in the form of a sole (110), and a removable outer layer consisting of a removable sleeve (130).

Sleeve (130) comprises an inner surface (not seen) and an outer surface (134). As best seen in FIG. 1, the sole (110) of a typical sandal (100) is comprised of at least an outsole (112) and an insert (114). Referring to FIG. 2, the front face (116) of sole (110) (i.e. traction side of outsole (120)) of the present invention comprises a plurality of grooves (118), in some of which, the straps (also referred to as, webbing) that comprise a first, portion (132 a) of sleeve (130) are disposed. Thus, the inner surface of a first, or lower portion (132 a) of the sleeve (130) is in contact with front face (116) of sole (110). The back face (126) of sole (110) (i.e. the upper portion of insert (114)), is in contact with the sole of the user's foot (150). The inner surface of a second, or upper portion (132 b) of sleeve (130) is in contact with, and wrapped around, the upper portion of the user's foot (150).

Sleeve (130) is essentially a “one size fits all” item, and may be produced in a wide variety of colors. The netting arrangement of upper portion (132 b) as well as the straps of lower portion (132 a) of sleeve (130) may be produced in a wide variety of designs. Sleeve (130) is preferably made at least partially of an elastic spandex fiber such as Lycra®, and is preferably manufactured as a seamless material.

FIG. 3 shows an alternate design of lower portion (132 a), wherein the webbing of lower portion (132 a) is disposed through the various grooves (118) (some of which are hidden from view by the webbing in the figure) of outsole (20). Alternatively, the groove arrangement may be different than the patterns shown in the figures herein.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the periphery of the upper edge (113) of outsole (112) comprises a pair of extension portions (120 a), (120 b) situated at the ends of each groove (118). Extension portions (120 a), (120 b) are slightly spaced away from the surface of each groove (118), and disposed toward each other, thereby forming a passageway for sleeve (130) to pass therethrough. Extension portions (120 a), (120 b) form a narrow opening, or slit to allow sleeve (130) to be removably inserted to the passageway.

Grooves (118) are deep enough such that the straps/webbing fit snug therein, and such that the outer surface of the straps/webbing do not make contact with the ground upon which sandal (100) treads. This is advantageous since constant contact with the ground during use may lead to deterioration of sleeve (130).

As described herein above, and as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, upper portion (132 b) provides a close-fitting wrap around foot (150), while lower portion (132 a) is substantially strapped around sole (110). This allows sole (110) to be comfortably carried by and held in contact with or in close proximity to foot (150) during use. Preferably, a sleeve (130) having a lower portion (132 b) that may be disposed in most or all grooves (118) should be used. Such an arrangement maintains proper alignment of foot (150) with sole (110) and allows foot (150) to remain in contact with sole (110) even during active use of the sandal (100).

In a preferred embodiment, as best seen in FIG. 3, the portion of sole (110) that supports the big toe of the user's foot (150) is separated and spaced apart from the portion of sole (110) that supports the remaining toes of the user's foot (150). The gap (128) between these two portions is substantially a tear (or, raindrop) shape, to allow sole (110) to be suspended by a hook, nail or other support protruding from a wall or display stand. Alternatively, gap (128) may be shaped in any other appropriate form that will allow suspension of sandal (100).

According to one aspect of the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, upper portion (132 b) of sleeve (130) is in the form of a sock (136). Sock (136) may comprise openings (138) into which a patch (140) may be inserted. FIG. 4 a shows a cross-section along opening (138), showing how patch (140) may be inserted therein. Patches (140) are preferably situated at locations on foot (150) that require padding to prevent injury, for example, the heal and above the toes. Patches (140) may be sold in different colors and designs.

A second embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 5 a, 5 b and 5 c in the form of eyewear (referred to hereinbelow as sunglasses), and is generally designated by the numeral (200). Sunglasses (200) comprise a supporting platform in the form of a double lens (210), and an outer layer consisting of a removable sleeve (230).

As best seen in FIG. 5 c, sleeve (230) comprises an inner surface (232) and an outer surface (234). Although inner surface (232) is not seen in FIG. 5 a, it is understood that a first portion (232 a) of inner surface (232) of sleeve (230) is in contact with, and surrounds, a portion of the front face (226) of double lens (210). A second portion (232 b) of inner surface (232) of sleeve (230) is in contact with, and wraps around the head of a user (not shown in the figures), such that the user may wear sunglasses (200). The back face (not shown in the figures) of double lens (210) is in contact with the user's face.

Referring to FIGS. 5 a and 5 b, double lens (210) comprises a right lens (211) and a left lens (212), and a plurality of grooves (218 a)-(218 f) situated along its outer edge (213). Sleeve (230), shown in FIG. 5 c, comprises a plurality of slits (236 a), (236 b), (236 c-d), (236 e-f), which, when sunglasses (200) are assembled (FIG. 5 a), are disposed in and/or around each respective groove (218 a)-(218 f). When slits (236 a), (236 b), (236 c-d), (236 e-f) are stretched towards grooves (218 a)-(218 f), elongated slits (236 g), (236 h) open, thereby forming the outer frame portion of each lens (211), (212) (FIG. 5 a).

As described herein above with respect to the first embodiment, sleeve (230) is essentially a “one size fits all” item, and may be produced in a wide variety of colors and designs. Sleeve (230) is preferably made at least partially of an elastic spandex fiber such as Lycra®, and is preferably manufactured as a seamless material. Additionally, the location and shapes of grooves (218 a)-(218 f) may vary according to style and/or function.

A third embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 6 a, 6 b and 6 c in the form of jewelry (referred to hereinbelow as a bracelet), and is generally designated by the numeral (300). Bracelet (300) comprises a supporting platform in the form of a bed of gemstones (310), and an outer layer consisting of a removable sleeve (330).

As best seen in FIG. 6 c, sleeve (330) comprises an inner surface (332) and an outer surface (334). Although inner surface (332) is not seen in FIG. 6 a, it is understood that a first portion (332 a) of inner surface (332) is in contact with, and surrounds, the front face (326) of gemstone bed (310). A second portion (332 b) of inner surface (332) is in contact with, and wraps around the wrist of a user (not shown in the figures), such that the user may wear bracelet (300). The back face (not shown in the figures) of gemstone bed (310) is in contact with a portion of the user's wrist.

Referring to FIGS. 6 a and 6 b, gemstone bed (310) comprise a base portion (312) having three gemstones (314) protruding therefrom. It is understood that only one gemstone (314), or alternatively, an array of more than three gemstones (314) may be present. Each gemstone (314) comprises a grooved shape (318) situated at its lower portion. Sleeve (330), shown in FIG. 6 c, comprises three slits (336) which, when bracelet (300) is assembled (FIG. 6 a), are disposed around each respective groove (318).

As described herein above with respect to the first embodiment, sleeve (330) is essentially a “one size fits all” item, and may be produced in a wide variety of colors and designs. Sleeve (330) is preferably made at least partially of an elastic spandex fiber such as Lycra®, and is preferably manufactured as a seamless material. The jewelry may take other forms, for example, a necklace or finger ring. Additionally, the shapes of gemstones (314), including grooves (318) may vary according to style and/or function.

A fourth embodiment of the present invention, is shown in FIG. 7 in the form of a handbag, and is designated generally by the numeral (400). Handbag (400) comprises a supporting platform in the form of a bag (or, receptacle) (410), and an outer layer consisting of a removable sleeve (430).

Sleeve (430) comprises an inner surface (not seen in the figure) and an outer surface (434). The front face (416) of bag (410) comprises a plurality of grooves (418), in which the straps that comprise the first, or lower portion (432 a) of sleeve (430) are disposed. A second, or upper portion (432 b) of inner surface (432) of sleeve (430) is grasped by, and therefore, in contact with the user's hand.

As described herein above with regards to the first embodiment, sleeve (430) is essentially a “one size fits all” item, and may be produced in a wide variety of colors. The netting arrangement of lower portion (432 a) of sleeve (430) may be produced in a wide variety of designs. Sleeve (430) is preferably made at least partially of an elastic spandex fiber such as Lycra®, and is preferably manufactured as a seamless material.

FIG. 7 shows just one example of the groove pattern that may be provided on the lower surface of handbag (400). In an alternative aspect, handbag (400) comprises a handle portion (not shown) around which upper portion (434) of sleeve (430) is wrapped.

Preferably, handbag (400) comprises an aperture suitable for allowing handbag (400) to be supported thereat.

A fifth embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 8 in the form of a dress, and is generally designated by the numeral (500). Dress (500) comprises at least one removable sleeve (530). Sleeve (530) comprises at least one aperture through which a portion of dress (500) is pulled, thereby forming a puffy portion (510) of dress (500). FIG. 8 illustrates puffy portions (510) at the waist, elbow and shoulders of the user.

As described herein above with regards to the first embodiment, sleeve (530) is essentially a “one size fits all” item, and may be produced in a wide variety of colors. Sleeve (130) is preferably made at least partially of an elastic spandex fiber such as Lycra®, and is preferably manufactured as a seamless material.

The present invention provides an inexpensive solution to the above-mentioned difficulties of coordinating the various aspect of one's outfit. For example, sandal (100), sunglasses (200), jewelry (300) and handbag (400) and dress (500) of the present invention may be purchased independently of the interchangeable sleeve (130), (230), (330), (430), (530) of which a wide variety of designs and colors may be purchased at minimal cost.

While some embodiments of the invention have been described by way of illustration, it will be apparent that the invention can be carried into practice with many modifications, variations and adaptations, and with the use of numerous equivalents or alternative solutions that are within the scope of persons skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit of the invention or exceeding the scope of the claims. 

1. Apparel having a replaceable outer layer, comprising: a. a supporting platform having a front face and a back face; and b. a replaceable sleeve having an inner surface and an outer surface and being mounted on said platform, wherein at least a first portion of said inner surface is in contact with said front face and at least a second portion of said inner surface is in direct and/or indirect contact with a limb of a user who wears said apparel.
 2. Apparel according to claim 1, wherein the sleeve is made of a seamless fabric.
 3. Apparel according to claim 1, wherein the sleeve is made at least partially of an elastic spandex fiber.
 4. Apparel according to claim 1, wherein the platform is shaped to allow suspension thereof by a support protruding from a vertical surface.
 5. Apparel according to claim 1, wherein the supporting platform may be chosen from any one of the group consisting of: a. the sole portion of footwear; b. lenses; c. jewelry; d. a handbag; and, e. a shoulder bag.
 6. Apparel according to claim 1, wherein the first portion of the sleeve comprises any one of the group consisting of: a. straps; and, b. slits. 